Microsoft 365
Licensing, migration, security and support for South African businesses
Microsoft 365 for South African businesses
First in Business Solutions (FiBS) is an authorised Microsoft 365 reseller based in Randburg, Gauteng. We have been supporting South African businesses since 1989. We help companies choose the right Microsoft 365 plan, move their email and files across without disruption, secure their accounts, and get local support when something goes wrong.
Whether you are setting up Microsoft 365 for the first time, moving off old POP/IMAP email, or need someone to look after an existing setup, we handle it end to end. Prefer Google? We also supply and support Google Workspace, and will help you choose the platform that suits your business.
What we do
- Licensing: the right Microsoft 365 Business plan for each user, billed by us, with licences added or removed as your team changes.
- Migration: moving you off legacy POP/IMAP email onto a modern business platform, bringing your mail, calendars, contacts and files with you. We also migrate between hosted Exchange, Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
- Setup: your domain, mailboxes, shared mailboxes, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint, configured properly from day one.
- Security: multi-factor authentication, email spam and phishing protection, and device management for laptops and phones.
- Backup: independent backup of your Microsoft 365 mail and files, so deleted or encrypted data can be restored.
- Support: a local team you can phone or email for help with Outlook, Teams, passwords, new users and everyday problems.
Which Microsoft 365 plan do you need?
Most small and medium businesses choose one of the Microsoft 365 Business plans (for up to 300 users):
- Business Basic: business email, Teams, and 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user, with the web and mobile versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Business Standard: everything in Basic, plus the desktop Office apps on each user’s computers.
- Business Premium: everything in Standard, plus advanced security: Microsoft Defender for Business, Intune device management and conditional access. This is the plan we recommend for businesses that handle sensitive client data.
Not sure which fits? Tell us how your team works and we will recommend a plan. We’ll make sure you don’t pay for features you won’t use.
Why businesses choose FiBS
- Over 35 years in the South African ICT industry.
- An ICASA-registered internet service provider and ISPA Code of Conduct compliant member, so we can look after your connectivity as well as your Microsoft 365.
- One provider for Microsoft 365, IT support, backup, firewalls and telephony.
- Based in Gauteng, with affiliate offices in Durban and the Western Cape.
Frequently asked questions
Can you move us off our old POP/IMAP email?
Yes. Many businesses still use legacy POP or IMAP mailboxes from their web host, without shared calendars, proper security or central management. We move your mailboxes, calendars and contacts to Microsoft 365, or Google Workspace if you prefer, and plan the switch-over so mail keeps flowing, usually doing the final cut-over after hours.
Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace: which is better for us?
Both are strong business platforms. Microsoft 365 suits teams that rely on desktop Word, Excel and Outlook, or that need Windows device management. Google Workspace suits teams that work mainly in the browser. We supply and support both, so our advice is based on how your team works.
Can you take over support of our existing Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace setup?
Yes. If you already use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, we can review your current setup, fix security gaps such as missing multi-factor authentication, and take over day-to-day support and licensing.
Is Microsoft 365 data backed up by Microsoft?
Microsoft keeps the service running, but it does not provide the kind of point-in-time backup most businesses need to recover from accidental deletion or ransomware. We recommend a separate Microsoft 365 backup, which we can provide.
Does Microsoft 365 help with POPIA compliance?
Microsoft 365 includes tools that support POPIA compliance, such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, device management and data loss prevention, especially in Business Premium. We help you switch these on and configure them for your business.
How long does it take to get started?
New Microsoft 365 setups can be ready within days. Migrations depend on the number of users and the amount of mail. We give you a timeline after a short assessment.
message us
Phone
Phone: +27 11 998 8020head office
3 Susan St, Strydom Park, Randburg, Gauteng, 2169
Take down notices:
The relevant details for ISPA are:
Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA)
Address: PO Box 518, Noordwyk, 1687
Telephone: 010 500 1200
Email: complaints@ispa.org.za